Page 293 of Commanding Blood And Bonds

“Our lack of mental connection would beg to differ.”

He pulled in deep on his next inhale, holding it as he watched me, then said, “That has everything to do with you refusing the karmic tie—and nothing to do with not wanting me.”

I smirked. “Who said anything about that?”

His eyes tracked the cigarette as I lifted it to my lips.

He smiled, barely. “You saying you like what you see, Jailbait?”

“Don’t inflate your ego just because you don’t make me claw my eyes out.”

“You know what I admire most about you? The poetry.”

“Get fucked,” I laughed.

He grinned. Dangerous. Effortless. It undid me.

“Weren’t you just implying that wasn’t on the table?” he asked. “I don’t do ‘tolerable.’ I do ‘yes—and maybe some begging.’”

“You never lacked for volunteers.”

The humor faded from his eyes.

I deflected. “You know what’s been bugging me? I’ve never checked the name in the third tomb.”

He blinked at the shift. “The one with the inscription?”

“Yeah. I’ve only been through there while half-dead or running. Not exactly ideal for sightseeing.”

“One of their children, maybe. Probably another royal.”

“Maybe.”

He paused. “You know what’s bugging me?”

I raised a brow.

“Why did Adrastos warn me today? If he and the snake serve the same master, why not let her kill or capture you?”

“He needs me alive. Just like Ally does.”

“Because of the prophecy?”

“It would appear so.”

He drew deeply, smoke trailing from his lips. “Still doesn’t sit right. Doesn’t feel very over-lordy. And why unmask himself? Seems like a waste of a perfectly good alias. He had to know I’d be there—know I’d have to defend myself, maybe in front of your brother and Reyna. Why throw that away?”

“To undermine my credibility—or to earn your sympathy. Which he seems to have succeeded at, by the way.”

“I’m not sympathizing. I’m analyzing.”

“They’re not mutually exclusive.”

“For anyone threatening your safety, they are.”

That unquestioning loyalty was maddeningly illogical. We were karmically even—a life for a life—but he kept saying things that made me feel, and that just wouldn’t do.

“If you say so.”